Ancelotti: “It has been a good day for us, but the League continues”

Ancelotti appeared after the match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid in Anoeta, which ended with the Whites’ victory 0-2, to answer questions from the media. First he went through the microphones of Movistar + and Real Madrid TV:

How did you see the team?

The team has played a complete game, with and without the ball, very well, compact, without giving Real opportunities to play between the lines, with the midfields very well positioned. And with the ball with the quality that we have, with the control of the game, the quality of Rodrygo, Jovic and Vinicius.

How did you see Jovic?

The approach does not change much with him, the idea is always the same. The quality is different, less possession, but on the wall he has done very well, at 0-1. We have to highlight this Jovic game, he was not playing and he was ready. Players like him and others like him deserve to play.

The second part was great. As it did?

Preparing a clear strategy, without too many words, the idea was to cut passes between the lines, which we did well, let them play on the outside and put pressure on their own field. We have handled it quite well.

Where was the key to winning?

We played a complete game, well in control of the ball. Very well defensive, we don’t leave spaces between the lines. We cut the passes, we let them play on the outside, they lost a bit of quality. In positional play against, we were dangerous.

What did he say to them at halftime?

The first 30 minutes we did well. Then we started playing the ball long, lost control and started making some silly fouls. I told them to continue without haste with the ball. La Real pressed a lot up, but in their field they stayed calm. After opening the scoreboard it was much easier.

What else can be said about Vinicius?

He’s scoring, playing well, he’s committed, also without the ball. He’s doing fine. Today there is a man that we have to highlight is Luka Jovic, who has done very well. He gave the assist and was ready in the area for the second goal.

How is Karim?

We will see in the next few days, but I think it will not be available for Tuesday.

In the phenomenal defensive work, to highlight the figure of Militao.

In the air ball he is very strong. The couple is doing well.

What does it tell you to be eight points behind the second at the beginning of December

That we are well, but the League continues. We have to look forward to the next matches. We have to continue.

Later he went through a press conference:

Was this expected, take this advantage?

He says we are doing well, it was a difficult game, on a difficult field against a strong opponent. And we did well. We are solid, we have continuity in the results.

How is Benzema?

He had a problem, it bothered him a bit and he did not want to force it. We are going to do tests. I don’t think it will be available for Tuesday, but it might come to Sunday.

Is this a blow to the League?

No, I don’t think so. It’s a good day, but the League continues. There are teams that compete a lot, that fight a lot, winning is difficult. We have an advantage and we will continue.

Is this looking like an easy league?

The game seemed simple, but it wasn’t. La Real has quality, it has not been shown all due to the team’s merit. Thinking of winning is too early, I hope no one thinks about it. Each game is a fight, we have to be smart in the games that are going to come soon.

What do you expect from Jovic?

For me he is a good striker, like Mariano. His qualities are different from Karim, he is very strong, he makes good walls, Vinicius’s first goal is a classic of his; and the second is an area forward, which is what he is. I congratulate him, because I know it is difficult for him, he has taken the opportunity I gave him. There are others who do not play and deserve to play, that is the problem of my work.

What a great match from Militao and Alaba …

The quality of the two is enormous, they are working very well, we have been very close and we have given strength to the whole team.

If you read a headline that says “Champion Victory”, what do you think?

It is exaggerated, it is a victory for a team that is fighting to win, which is doing well. I know football, in three days everything can change. We are now going to focus on Inter.

After the victory against Athletic, the image was very different …

A different game has come out than against Athletic, what I like is that this team knows how to defend, with the offensive quality I never had doubts, but the collective commitment is very good right now.

What do you expect from the derby?

I am confident, knowing that it is special, the derby always is. In these games there are no favorites. Let’s measure our quality with that of Atleti, it will be complicated, let’s see what happens.

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